"Pisteng Laura Kassandra Milendez! Sagutin mo akong babae ka!"

I snapped out of my thoughts as Gwen screamed at my side hitting my arm making me hiss in pain.

"Oww, aray naman Gwen." I said while massaging the part of my arm she just hit.

"Ikaw kasi! Hindi ka nasagot. Kanina pa kita tinatawag." She replied and I kinda feel guilty for that. I fixed my sitting position and faced her.

"Ano bang tinatanong mo?" I asked facing her direction.

"I'm asking you kung nakapag download kana ng Chess game app." She said and I slowly nodded.

"Na-try mo nang laruin?" She asked again and I slowly nodded before giving her a small smile.

She sigh, rolling her eyes.

"Mag laro ka kaya muna? Wala pa naman si Mrs. Demonya." She said and my brows furrowed. Confused of what she just said.

"Demonya? Sino 'yon?" I asked confused.

"Asawa ni Demonyo." Me and when were both startled as Ali came out of nowhere.

She put her backpack at the seat in front of her before slapping Gwen's shoulders.

"Piste alis! Bangko ko 'yan!" She jokingly shout. Gwen make an exaggerated surprised face.

"Ali, we have a democracy here in the classroom! Pwede akong umupo kung saan ko gusto! I make my own decisions so-

"Shut the fuck up! Alis dyan at pumunta ka sa bangko mo!" Ali cut her sentence before jokingly pushed her away.

"Aray! Puke ka!" Gwen said before standing up from Ali's seat. Ali sat down next to me before pulling a random notebook from her bag.

"So, listen here you rich bitch." She said in a sassy tone making me shock for a second.

"I just had a conversation with the best chess player in the world last night. And I wrote this down for you to study about chess." She said handing  me a notebook opened to a page that contains some drawings and words.

I reach for the notebook and looking and reading what it says.

"Queen can move to any direction, while king can only move one space per turn. Rook can only move to straight lines. While bishop can only move to slanted lines depends on the color where it is. Horse move in L direction. And pawns at first turn can move two spaces but in its next turn it can only move 1." I read a paragraph in the notebook.

It does make sense but I'm still confused about things. Like how am I supposed to eat the other player's prunes or character.

"Saan mo nakuha 'to?" I asked Ali raising the notebook.She smirk and move a little away from me.

"I told you, I had a conversation with the best chess player in the fucking world." She said and I squinted my eyes.

"Who the fuck is the best player of chess in the world?" I confusedly asked.

"Magnus Carlsen?" Gwen replied.

My brows furrowed once again "You had a conversation with him last night? I don't believe you?" I giving Ali a doubtful look. She smirk once again.

"Sino ba nag sabi na siya ang naka-usap ko?" She asked both me and Gwen frown.

"Piste Alejandra Ivette! Sino ba kasi 'yang best chess player in the world na sinasabi mo?" Gwen irritatedly asked.

Ali move closer between me and Gwen and look around as if what she's going to say is very important. Me and Gwen lean closer to her to hear what she is going to say.

"Ako."

Me and Gwen, both move away. Parehas kaming napa ismid at umirap.

"Puke mo! Alejandra! Bwiset ka!" Gwen said glaring at Ali who is now dead laughing. Even me is disappointed.

I didn't really believe it at all. But I'm actually guessing she just got these from the internet but knowing that this are just all from her make me wanna smack her head.

"Pero at least, aminin niyo. Makakatulong 'yan." She said pointing at the notebook I'm holding.

"May drawing pa ako dyan, nag effort ako para dyan!" She exclaimed, I slowly look away from her and looked at the notebook.

Like what she said, and like what I said. It does contains some drawings and directions that I know can help me to learn the game of chess.

"Why don't you try to play a game? Andito pa naman sa classroom 'yung chess board ko."Ali said.

I pursed my lips and nod. She stand up and I just watch her grab her chess board at the back. She came back and started to prepare the board and pieces.

She is already done with her pieces. But in my surprise she didn't fixed mine.

I look at her with with confusion. While doing some finishing touches with her pieces  she slowly look at me maybe feeling my glare.

"What?" She asked confused cause I'm just looking at her.

I look at my side, my pieces  are still scattered on the board. She look down where I'm looking at before I heard her sigh.

"Laura, you should learn to fix your own pieces. Hindi 'yan gagawin ng kalaban mo para sayo." She said.

I bit my lower lip and nod. I first pick up my king, I looked at hers and put my white king on the opposite side of hers.

I put it on the white square.

But I hear her hiss.

"Try looking at the notebook I gave you." She said and I nodded.

I slowly pick the notebook up and open it to a random page. But the page I opened doesn't consist of what topic I needed at the moment.

"W-Which one exactly contains the positioning of the pieces?" I asked Ali. She lean closer looking at the notebook.

She started flipping the pages then stopped at a page that shows a board. Each square in that board holds the name of each character.

"Which one is the rook, again?" I asked getting confused of all the characters in front of me.

I hear her groan a bit making me feel bad for asking too much. She handed me the rook and find the name of it on her drawing.

Yesterday when we first played this, she's the one who put my soldiers and characters. But now, I don't know what to do.

"Hindi ba parang mali ang lagay nung ling?" I got startled as someone suddenly speak from my back. I immediately look at my back to see Lory pointing at the board.

"Tama kaya. Look!" I said pointing at the notebook getting a bit annoyed by the game.

"No, if your pieces are white, your king is in black." She said moving the king on the other square.

Realization hit me and I just nod while my mouth is form a little 'o'.

"Baliktad yung rook at horse." Lory said switching the position of my ruck and horse.

After few more finishing touches, me and Ali are now able to play.

In the middle our game Ali switches her room and king making me confused.

"What the fuck! Ali switched her rook and king! Bawal 'yon!" I screamed getting annoyed.

What the fuck! That's cheating!

"Ibalik mo 'yon! That's cheating Ali!" I screamed standing up. Ali just looked at me with wide eyes.

"I may be a beginner but I know that is forbidden! Ang daya mo!" I angrily said. I felt Jax hands on my arm.

Gwen putting her arms between me and Ali.

"Laura, pwede 'yon. Calm down girl. Calm. Down." I heard Lory said. I snapped my head at Lory's direction with wide eyes.

"Pwede 'yon?!" I asked a little bit calm now.

Lory nodded "Yes, but it's only possible kapag hindi pa niya nagagalaw ang both king and rook." She replied. I glance at Ali who is till just looking at me blinking her lids.

"Really?" I asked again, I hear Lory chuckled.

She nodded "Yes, kakasabi lang eh." She replied.

I was able to calm down, Jax pushed me a little to sit down.

"So.. I can do that to mine as well?" I ask pointing at my king  and rook.

Lory looked at the two. "Nagalaw mo na ba sila?" She asked, I look down at the two and shake my head.

"Then you can." She said and I nodded switching the two.

Our game ended with Ali winning this time. I wasn't able to come up with a good strategy this time

Yesterday when we played it is mostly Gwen and Lory playing. They're just felling me  what to do and I'll just move the character. So it's basically Lory and Gwen versus Ali yesterday.

-

"Are you sure na busy kayo mamaya?" I asked them while we are wasting our vacant again.

It's now afternoon classes and it looks like our next teacher is not showing up any moment.

"May pupuntahan kami ni mommy." Lory replied not even sparing a glance at me.

"You Gwen?" I asked Gwen, at least she looked up at me but shake her head.

"Bhie, i already told you na. May pupuntahan din kami ni mader." She replied in a funny tone making Jax and Tobi laugh but not me.

I frown.. "Ali?" Ali look up from her phone before frowning and shaking her head.

"Running for Mother Majorette tayo bhie, hindi pwedeng mag absent." She replied and I nodded. I looked at Jax and Tobi who are just standing at my back.

"Jax? Tobi?" I asked them both.

Both look down at me before they looked at each other.

"Sorry Laura, kasabay ko tatay ko umuwi." Tobi apologetically said.

I sigh knowing that even Jax is busy. Well, it's fine. I know everyone is busy and of course they have their own life and stuffs to do.

"Ako Laura. Free ako." My eyes widened looking up at Jax.

"You sure?! Wait! Seryoso Jax?!" I asked surprised. She smiled and nodded.

"Oh my! Finally!Ugh!" I groan and rolled my eyes.

I can actually just ask my service to drive me all the way to the store. But I just don't want them to see me buy me a chess board. Probably lola and dad would ask me why.

I'll just inform them once I'm selected to play.

I got startled as my phone beeped. My brows furrowed and slowly flipped my phone to see who texted. But I immediately flipped it back when I saw who texted.

"Oh.. gulat ka 'no?!" Gwen joked then smiled like a maniac showing a forced dimple.

The others laugh but I didn't. I pick my phone up hide it at my lap. I hesitantly look at Jax and Tobi who are at my back.

"Uhm.. Jax, Tobi. Upo na kayo, medyo.. n-nahihirapan kasi ako." I lied, I actually just don't want them to see the text.

They just looked at me before nodding and walking towards their seat.

I watched as they leave my back before I finally opened my phone and read Jiro's text.

From Jiro:
What time kita susunduin?

I bite my lip forgetting he'll pick me up later. Jax already agreed and now Jiro is asking me a time.

To Jiro:
Uhm.. 5pm.

I started to get nervous. I started fidgeting while glancing at Jax who's busy laughing with Tobi.

Then my phone beeped once again.

From Jiro:
Oh perfect. Our practice end by 4:30pm. Wait for me.;)

My brows immediately furrowed as I saw another emoji from his text message. Did he just freaking sent a winking emoji.

I shook my head to not think any further. I put down my phone and started thinking.

Should I tell Jax that she doesn't need to come with me. But it will be sad for her since she already agreed.But I also don't want Jax and Jiro to meet.

Hindi naman sa ipinagdadamot ko si Jiro. In fact there's no reason na ipagdamot ko siya. But what is also the reason for me to introduce them to each other?

There's no need for them to meet. Maybe in the future I'll introduce Jiro to my friends. But now is the right time. Maybe when me and Jiro know each other more. Then that's the time I'll introduce him.

I think it's bad if I introduce him to them then in the next months me and Jiro doesn't have contact with each other anymore.

Then my friends will start asking about him.

Heck maybe if I just introduce him to them they'll start teasing me about him.

So it's a big no.

"Uhm.. Jax." I called and she immediately snapped her head at my direction.

"Wag mo na pala ako samahan mamaya. I'll just.. uhm. Ask someone na ibili ako." I hesitantly said. She frown but nodded afterwards.

I was able to relax when she didn't really feel that sad.

-

Our last subject ended and now we are at the school gate. Ali is already at her practice and the band is now bombing the whole school with their loud music.

Tobi is already with his dad and now Gwen and Lory are just waiting for their cars to arrived.

It was Gwen's red car who first arrived. She bid her goodbyes to us before entering their Isuzu car.

Next is Lory's Grey Mercedes Bens. She immediately entered their van but she opened the car window before waving at us.

Then Jax suddenly speak "Alis na ako Laura. Byee." She  said and I nodded giving her a smile and wave as well.

I was left there alone. I look around getting a little bit uncomfortable because of the tricycle drivers. They're doing nothing wrong but I'm just really uncomfortable whenever I'm surrounded by people.

Until suddenly someone covered my eyes. I immediately held the hand  and started to tensed up. I can sense it's a man so the first thing that came up to my mind is to kick him in his balls.

Until he speak "Hey.." My eyes widened, he finally removed his hands from my eyes. I immediately look at him, shock.

"Why do you look so tensed up?" He asked. I removed my shocked expression and shook my head.

"I-It's nothing.." I replied not making any eye contact.

I remember what I said yesterday. That little world that slipped out of my mouth. The reason why I wasn't able to sleep properly and making me space out all day.

"Oh? Lets go? Saan ba tayo pupunta?" Heasked holding the strap of his back pack.

"Wait.. you got a knew back pack?" I asked pointing at it.

He looked at it as well and giggle.

"Ah.. yeah. I got that from the junk shop. A good 10 pesos." He replied and  I nodded.

"It still look good tho." I said and he nodded.

"Yeah.." Be said smiling examining his bag.

"Let's go.. I just need to buy something from a gift shop or what." I replied and he nodded.

"Should we, ride a tricycle or not?" He asked.. I pursued my lips and look at the line of the tricycles.

"Uhh..-

"Don't worry, you're with me. Hindi ka maki-kidnap." He said and I smiled feeling a bit relaxed.

"Sure.." I said and his eyes widened.

"You sure?" He asked again and I nodded. He smiled and his next move shocked me.

He held my hands pulling me to an empty tricycle. I wasn't able to react and I just go with his flow let him do things.

I entered the tricycle he chose. I was near the driver and he was at the door side.

"Saan po tayo?" The driver ask.

"A-Ah.. I.." I am still shocked and can't process words.

Jiro tapped my arm.

"Saan daw?" He asked and I lightly shook my head.

"St. Francis po.." I said. The driver nodded and he started the engine of the motor cycle.

I can't relax the whole ride. His hands that held my wrist a while ago is not there anymore. But the heat of it feels like is imprinted on my wrist.

And the side car of the tricycle is not that big so me and Jiro are a bit squished inside.

I feel so tensed up. And I can tell he can feel it.

"Hey, why are you so tensed up? I told you, I'm here. Hindi iiba ng ruta 'to." He assured and gave me his genuine smile.

I actually felt my cheek heat up just because his smile.

We arrived at the store and I paid the driver. We were about to enter when Jiro suddenly held my backpack making me almost drop.

"What?" I asked looking at him shocked and still tensed up at the same time.

"Give me your bag." He said making my brows furrowed.

"Why?" I asked confused. He clicked his tongue before he pull my bag at his own. Making me confused.

"What the. The fuck?" I said confused, he looked at me and smirk.

"It's my job, I'm gonna carry your bag and stuffs whenever we are together. Its my job as your personal assistant, right?" He asked and I just realized what he said is right.

"Right, yeah." I said then entered the store. Supposedly I'm here for a chess board but the first thing that caught my attention is a black back pack. I stopped walking and look up at back pack.

I was about to ask for an assistance when Jiro tapped me on my shoulder.

"You're gonna buy  a back pack,even your Supreme back pack is here?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.

I approach the counter.

"May chess board po kayo?" I asked, the sales lady nodded before walking away probably get the board I'm asking.

Few moments the lady came back with three sizes  of chess board.

"Alin po ba dito?" She asked.. I pursed my lips looking at the three.

All are good. Its just their sizes are different. But I'll get the biggest one. I guess it's better to use.

"I'll get the biggest one.." I said and the sales lady nodded. She put back the other two leaving me and Jiro alone again.

I slowly look at Jiro who have a confused expression on his face.

"You play chess?" He asked raising his left eyebrow.

I bite my lower lip. "I'll explain later." I said and he nodded.

"Ito lang po ba?" The sales lady asked and I shook my head.

"I'll get the black back pack right there." I said pointing at the back pack I've been looking a while ago.

The sales lady nodded and walk towards it. I follow her from behind while Jiro follow me from behind as well.

"Ito po?" She asked pointing the stick at the black back pack and I nodded.

Using a stick she get the bag who's hanging from the ceiling. She handed it to me and I examine it. I bit my lower lip and faced Jiro.

"What do you think?" I asked but he only look at me with wide eyes blinking.

"What?" He asked confused.

I took a deep breath. "What do you think about his bag? Is it okay?" I asked and his lips formed a small 'o'.

"For you? Ye-

"No, for you." I immediately cite his sentence. He look shocked for a moment before clearing his throat and nodding.

"For me? Uhm.. it looks great." He said giving a thumbs up which is a bit awkward.

I nodded, hating this awkward situation. "Ah.. sure. I'll get this one too." I said and handed the bag to the sales lady.

We walked back towards the counter and the sales lady started calculating the price.

"Bali, 1030 pesos po Maam." She said and i nodded. I handed her a 1000 peso bill and a 50 peso bill. She put the bag on a paper bag. The board doesn't need any bag since it have handle for me to hold on. Jiro have both of my bag and the chess bore on his left hand while his bag is at his right hand.

She handed my change and we exited the store.
While we are waiting outside Jiro suddenly tapped my shoulders.

I immediately faced him and smiled.

"Why?" I asked innocently.

"How much is the bag?" He asked seriously making me a bit nervous.

"Uh.. it doesn't matter-

"It does Laura. Now how much was it?" He sternly said.

I pursed my lips. "700 pesos." I replied and I hear him hiss.

"That's expensive Laura. Hindi mo na dapat binili. Hindi ko alam kung paano kita-

"No need Jiro. No need.. we made a deal na diba? I'll buy things you need then you'll work as my assistant." I said and he shake his head.

"But a bag worth 700 pesos is so much Laura. Hindi sapat yung pag sama ko lang sayo pambayad sa bag na binili mo para sa akin ." He exclaimed. A bit of annoyance in his voice.

"Hindi lang naman 'to ang ipapagawa ko sayo eh." I said and his expression suddenly change.

"Ano pa? Because I'm gladly to do any favor you ask. It's my job after all." He said and I nodded. I took a deep breath first before telling him his next work.

"Are you Free this weekend?" I asked.

"Well, technically yes." He replied and I nodded.

"I need your help this weekend." I said and his expression became serious.

"Help with what?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

I sigh.. "Lets eat first." I said before calling a tricycle. He looked a it shock with the sudden pause of or convo.

I immediately entered the tricycle then Jiro following.

"Saan po tayo Maam?" The driver asked.

"Mikainan kuya." I replied and the driver nodded.

It was just a short ride.Mikainan is actually just a walking distance from our school. Even from St.Francis, it is just a walking distance as well.

But if I choose to walk. Jiro will probably start asking already.

We arrived at the restaurant. We went inside and went upstairs at the second floor. We chose the table that is located at the terrace.

From our table,we can see OLLA's basketball court. Which our school band is practicing at the moment. I can even see Ali in front of the line because her move is standing out with her different level of energy.

"What's your order Maam?" I snapped my head at the waitress's direction.

I reach for the menu and started looking looking at their menu.

"I'll have.. carbonara and chocolate milkshake." I said and the waitress nodded.

"You sir?"  The waitress look at Jiro's direction.

"Uh.. I'll get what she got." He said making me chuckle a bit.

The waitress nodded writing down our orders. She soon leave us both.

I feel the atmosphere getting awkward. I pursed my lips and was about to pull out my phone when I hear Jiro clear his throat.

"I think you're forgetting something, Ms.Milendez." He formally said making me let go of my phone.

"No I'm not." I said putting both of my hands on the table.

"So about the thing you need to do this weekend. Is that.." I paused taking a deep breath.

"I want you to teach me play chess." I said, I look up at him and I saw his shocked expression.

"So that's why you bought a chess board." He said smirking a bit and I shyly nodded.

"So.. you free?" I asked and he nodded.

"Of course I am. Trabaho ko na 'yon ngayon. Hindi mo lang pala ako assistant. Instructor na rin." He joked and I shyly nodded.

Then we became silent again. Except that our school is basically bombing this whole restaurant.

Soon our food arrived and we started eating. Our food here taste great. The carbonara is creamy. While the milkshake just taste right. Not too sweet which makes it perfect.

Then suddenly Jiro speak making me stop from eating.

"I think you're still forgetting one think Ms. Milendez." He said and I looked up at him wiping my lips using a napkin tissue.

"What?" I confusedly ask fixing my posture.

"What's with the 'love you' yesterday?" He asked.. making me freeze.

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